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Custom Duncan & Sons "Hunter" Saddle - $1,050 (Curlew WA)
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This is a custom handmade saddle by the nationally respected Duncan & Sons saddlery that was a generational family company in Seattle that operated for 109 years, 1898-2007. This heavy duty stock saddle was made on special order in 1961 and specifically fitted for hard use by guides, outfitters and active hunters. From the stout rawhide tree to the extra thick rigging reinforced at all stress points with dual copper rivets, heavy hardware and the double strapped reinforced horn, every aspect of this saddle was built to handle any demand placed upon it. This saddle also has the unique capacity to fit comfortably on a wide range of horses. I never had a horse indicate any discomfort or develop a sore spot even after long and difficult rides. It has served without fail in the toughest mountain terrain throughout the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Idaho and Oregon. It served multiple duties which included packing out heavy buck and bull elk quarters from deep canyons.
On a high end Big Horn Sheep hunt in northern BC while twenty five miles back into the wilderness a nervous pack horse flared off the trail and slid backward down a short bank where it became mired in a bog. The more it struggled the deeper its hindquarters sank. I grabbed a rope tied on the rear saddle strings and threw a quick war bridle on the head and neck of the struggling horse as its hindquarters sank deeper into the bog. The pack horse was quickly losing strength and going into shock as it laid its head out toward the trail. Remounting my 17 hand, 1200 lb Dutch Warmblood /Thoroughbred cross the rope was dallied on the horn and “Big Sam” leaned gently into the pull. Our guide encouraged the pack horse to pull with its neck and front quarters while it was being assisted by the taut rope. With each advance Sam took another short step ahead keeping a steady pull on the rope for the pack horse to muscle and strain against. Once it had pulled its hindquarters free of the bog it was able to struggle up the bank onto the solid trail where it stood with its head down, huffing and shaking violently. I threw the rope to my partner and told him to get the pack horse walking up the trail until the shock reduced and it regained its strength. In ten minutes it was done huffing and was back to normal. Had we lost that pack horse on a 12 day trip it would have ruined the hunt. It is just for such demanding events that the Duncan Hunter was crafted. Its three inch wide over-built breast collar with dual copper rivets at each stress point connected to the double strapped front cinch ring was equal to such a demanding stress test. Had it failed, as many lesser built rigs would have, we would have lost that pack horse and its cargo in the bog.
The 16" seat with high back cantel, heavy breast collar, strong rear cinch and properly turned stirrups and fenders combined to deliver a remarkably comfortable and secure ride for long hours in the most challenging terrain and weather imaginable. The wide stirrups and wool lined tapadero's kept my winter boots warm in the coldest weather and, when necessary, plowed through snow banks. A ruggedly hand built saddle like this “Hunter”, crafted by a prestigious saddlery like Duncan & Sons, would cost several thousands of dollars. It is well used but always maintained in excellent condition with supple and strong leather. As a special order vintage working saddle it still has several generations of adventures ahead.
Price includes all rigging, the pad and the stout wood saddle tree. Serious inquiries only please. Thanks for looking!